Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships & Financial Aid

Q. I am currently only enrolled in nine hours as an undergraduate at KSU. Am I eligible for a scholarship?

A. The University considers "full time" as at least 12 hours attempted and nine hours completed each semester. If you are not "full time" in the fall, you will not be eligible for the spring portion of your scholarship. You must also remain a major in the School to receive scholarship funds. A graduate student may be enrolled in six hours and still be eligible for scholarships.

Q. Can students contact scholarship donors?

A. Please work through the Miller School if you have questions about a scholarship. Donors expect us to administer the funds and are made aware of who receives what scholarship. Students given awards write letters to the donors thanking them, but contact prior to an award is inappropriate and will not further a candidate's chances.

Q. I haven't had any paid media experience yet but I did do a nonprofit internship this past summer. I was wondering what section that would go under?

A. Media internships should be included in your resume.

Q. I heard that students who had received a JMC Merit Scholarship could renew that scholarship for next year. Is this true?

A. If your grade point average has remained at 3.0 or higher, yes. Also, you must have taken at least 12 hours and completed at least 9. You are not eligible for the renewal (or ANY scholarship for that matter) if you have more than 89 hours by the end of the fall semester preceding the scholarship academic year, unless special circumstances warrant further consideration. Also, renewable scholarships are renewable subject to availability of funds. Even when scholarships are renewable, however, we ask that you submit an application for the upcoming academic year so the scholarship committee can verify enrollment and GPA standards — and potentially see whether you are eligible for additional scholarships.

Q. Is there a way to get a full scholarship awarded in one semester? I will be graduating in December and request the full scholarship be awarded in the fall.

A. No, scholarships are not rewards but awards. Students are frequently confused about this. We are giving you a scholarship in hopes this will increase your academic performance, not as a reward for past accomplishments.

Q. I plan to study abroad in the spring semester. Am I eligible for a scholarship?

A. The rules of the university state that you must be enrolled for 12 hours and complete 9 to be considered a full time student. If this is satisfied by the Study Abroad program, there is no conflict.

Q. I enrolled in the fall semester, but then withdrew from all my classes. Will I still receive my scholarship for the spring semester?

A. No.

Q. I enrolled in nine hours and completed nine hours, am I eligible for my scholarship in the spring?

A. No. You must enroll for at least 12 hours and complete at least nine hours each semester. If you fail to do this, you may appeal to the director of the A.Q. Miller School.

Q. I received the Max E. and Jean Hollinger Scholarship last spring and I didn't know if my scholarship was renewable for next year and/or what I needed to do apply for it again.

A. Take at least 12 hours and complete at least 9 this fall, and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. Renewable scholarships are renewable subject to GPA and availability of funds. Even when scholarships are renewable, we ask that you submit an application for the upcoming academic year so the scholarship committee can verify enrollment and GPA standards — and potentially see whether you are eligible for additional scholarships.

Q. I received the Hollinger scholarship this year, which I thought was to cover full tuition and fees. I added a class after this spring semester had already begun and I was wondering if my scholarship would cover that cost. Please let me know if that is possible.

A. The Hollinger (and other scholarships) are fixed amounts. The Hollinger is intended to cover tuition and fees, in most cases. It cannot be expanded, however, to address every expense. Due to the changes in financial markets, the amounts awarded may be less than previous year's amounts and may not cover full tuition and fees. Renewable scholarships are renewable subject to GPA and availability of funds.